Winding cores with stratification motion

ABSTRACT

A winder and system for winding wire onto core supports of dynamo-electric cores with translational, rotational and radial motions with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the dynamo-electric core is provided. The radial motion may preferably be provided by an independent assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the radial motion may be provided by rotating a cam disk which is movably connected to, and causes radial motion of, a pair of rollers. The pair of rollers are mounted on support arms which are connected to a needle for dispensing the wire such that movement of the pair causes similar movement of the needle. In another embodiment of the invention, an inclined way is coupled to a slide portion of the needle. When the inclined way is moved parallel to the axis, it causes a radial motion of the slide portion.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/632,281, filed Aug. 4, 2000, which claims the benefit of thefollowing provisional applications: No. 60/148,473, filed Aug. 12, 1999;and No. 60/214,218, filed Jun. 23, 2000. All of these prior applicationsare hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present application relates to winding coils of wire ontopoles of dynamo-electric cores. More particularly, the coils are wounddirectly into the slots of cores by means of needles which dispensewires. The wires are each drawn from tensioners.

[0003] During winding, relative motions occur between the needles andthe core in order to deliver the wires and wind them around the poles.The shapes of the slots are defined by the contours of the poles. Suchmotions are similar to those described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 5,413,289. The '289 patent, and any other patents mentioned herein,is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide a winding apparatus capable ofrotational and translational movements with respect to the core whilestratifying the wire along the poles of the core.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a windingapparatus preferably capable of rotational, translational and radialmovements with respect to the poles of the core. This stratificationmovement can be considered to be a radial movement that moves thewinding needle along the radial extension of the poles. Thisstratification allows for predetermined placement of the wire.Pre-determined placement of the wire preferably results in deeper anddenser winding of wire.

[0006] A winder for winding wires onto a coil support portion of adynamo-electric core is provided. The winder has a central longitudinalaxis and includes a plurality of needles, each needle for dispensing awire, a plurality of support members, each member supporting a singleone of the plurality of needles, a first assembly for producingtranslational movement of the members along the axis, a second assemblyfor producing relative rotational movement of the plurality of memberswith respect to the core, and a third assembly for producing radialmovement of each of the members perpendicular to the axis. The operationof the third assembly is substantially independent of the operation ofthe second assembly.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the winder includes asingle needle for dispensing the wire and a first assembly, the firstassembly including a winding shaft. The needle is preferably constrainedto move translationally with the shaft. The first assembly is forproducing translational movement of the shaft along the axis. The winderalso includes a second assembly for producing rotational movement of theneedle about the axis and a third assembly including a drive membermovably coupled to the winding shaft. Furthermore, relative rotationbetween the drive member and the winding shaft produces radial movementof the needle. In addition, the third assembly produces radial movementsubstantially independently of the rotational movement provided by thesecond assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above and other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an axial view of a core being wound according to theinvention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a winderaccording to the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2a is a full sectional view of an embodiment of a winderaccording to the invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 is another partial sectional view of an embodiment of awinder according to the invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a view from direction 4-4 of FIG. 3 of a portion of theembodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a view from direction 5-5 of FIG. 2 of a portion of theembodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a view from direction 6-6 of FIG. 2 of the embodimentshown in FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a view from direction 7-7 of FIG. 2 of a portion of theembodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 8 is another partial section view of an embodiment of awinder according to the invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a winderaccording to the invention.

[0019]FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken from direction 10-10 ofFIG. 9 of the winder shown in FIG. 9.

[0020]FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view taken from direction 11-11 ofFIG. 9 of a portion of the winder and core according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] A typical core 10 wound according to the principles of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates an axialend 10′ of core 10. Core 10 includes a pile of laminated portions,having an axial configuration like 10′, stacked for a certain lengthinto the page. (Reference to the “page” as used herein indicates theplane of the drawing page of the FIGS.). Such a length is often referredto as the “height of the core”.

[0022] The actual coils 102, 104 and 106 are wound around poles 108, byusing needles 11, 12, and 13 which dispense wires 111, 112 and 113,respectively, onto specific poles, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0023] The wire turns 121, 122 and 123 of the coils become stratifiedalong poles 108. This means that each wire turn tends to occupy anindividual layer along the poles. In FIG. 1 the turns are illustratedcrossing the end faces, similar to end face 132, of the poles. Thestratification shown in FIG. 1 is such that the turns are preferablywound on layers progressing inwardly towards the center of core 10—i.e.,at longitudinal axis 131. Each turn is also preferably wound around thepole sides similar to sides 134 and 136, and across opposite facessimilar to face 132.

[0024] To begin winding of the coils shown in FIG. 1, needles 11, 12,and 13 are provided with translation strokes, parallel to sides 134 and136, and into the page. During these strokes, the needle tips 142, 144and 146 are partially inserted in slots 152, 153 and 154 of core 10 toplace the wires along the respective pole sides. At the end of thetranslation strokes, needle tips 142, 144 and 146 are located beyond theend faces of core 10.

[0025] At this point, needles 11, 12 and 13 can be rotated with respectto longitudinal axis 131 of core 10, in order to place the wires acrossthe end faces of the poles. It should be noted that, for the purpose ofthe embodiment described in FIGS. 1-8, the term rotational movementpreferably indicates that the core may be rotated around longitudinalaxis 131, while the needles remain stationary. At the end of therotations, needle tips 142, 144 and 146 may be aligned with adjacentslots, where they can start opposite translation strokes. Similarly tothe original translation strokes, needles 11, 12 and 13 accomplishopposite translation strokes with their tips partially inserted in theadjacent slots of the core in order to place the wires along the nearbypole sides. Following the opposite strokes, tips 142, 144 and 146 arelocated beyond the end faces of the core, and out of the page. Then, anopposite rotation can take place to align the tips with the slot wherethe motions started.

[0026] Such a combination of motions places single turns of coils, suchas coils 102, 104 and 106, completely around the poles. The combinationof motions needs to be repeated for a number of times equal to thenumber of turns. Furthermore, the combination of motions also must berepeated for the number of layers of turns that are wound around thepoles. The stratification of the turns shown in FIG. 1 can beimplemented by moving the needles along radiuses R1, R2 and R3(respectively for needles 11, 12 and 13) of core 10. The movements alongthe radiuses preferably occur incrementally along the radius length. Theincremental movement can be implemented at the start of each new turn.

[0027] Suitable criteria that can dictate when the needle should bemoved along the radii, and how long the increments should be include thethickness of the wire, the dimensions and winding requirements of thepoles, etc. A correctly obtained stratification is of great importancefor guaranteeing that the turns are tightly wound, and of the samelength. Orderly stratification of the wires achieves more compact coils,which ultimately means that more turns can be wound in the same slotspace, while preventing turns of adjacent poles from interfering witheach other.

[0028] The present invention provides a machine which achieves such astratification. Furthermore, the machine of the present invention isable to have multiple needles accomplish stratification, substantiallysimultaneously, along respective poles. This achievement is madepossible even for poles which are at a close angular distance from eachother around the center of core 10.

[0029] In addition, the machine is programmable so that thestratification can be achieved in a variable and predetermined manner,depending on the requirements of the core and the coils which need to bewound.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, coils 102, 104 and 106 can be simultaneouslywound by using respective and separate needles for each pole. Themotions of the needles can also preferably be synchronized with respectto each other. Winding multiple coils, by means of a plurality ofneedles operating substantially simultaneously, reduces the timerequired to wind the totality of coils present in the core. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the shape of the needles is preferably a “V”configuration at the needle base because of the relatively small angularspacing made available by the distance existing between the poles.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a partial section view as seen from direction 2-2 ofFIG. 1, showing the apparatus of this invention for causing the needlesto move with translational, rotational and radial—i.e.,stratification—motions. FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of the entireassembly 20. FIG. 3 is a section view similar to FIG. 2 and represents acontinuation of FIG. 2 (towards the left of the page containing FIG. 2).Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the completion of assembly 20. FIG. 4 is aview from direction 4-4 of FIG. 3. Assembly 20 is partially visible inFIG. 2.

[0032] In FIG. 2, core 10 and the needles of FIG. 1 have been rotated tobring needle 12 on axis 131. Three distinct assemblies 20 (shown in FIG.3), 21 (shown in FIG. 2a) and 22 respectively generate the translationstrokes, relative rotation motions and the radial increments for windingof the turns. Each of the assemblies preferably provides for theindependent operation of each other assembly.

[0033] Assembly 20 comprises three tubes 11′, 12′ and 13′ carryingneedles 11, 12 and 13, respectively. FIG. 2 illustrates the connectionof needle 12 (in partial section view) to tube 12′, by means of bolt 12″screwed into an end cap of tube 12′. These tubes act as support membersfor the needles. Tip 144 of needle 12, which is perpendicular to thelength of needle 12, is clearly visible in FIG. 2. Needles 11 and 13will be connected in a similar manner to tubes 11′ and 13′. To avoidcomplicating FIG. 2, needles 11 and 13 (which are out of the plane ofFIG. 2) have been omitted from FIG. 2.

[0034] Wires 111, 112 and 113 are threaded through the respectiveneedles to reach the core as shown in FIG. 1. Wires come from arespective supply reel placed to the left of FIG. 3 and enter the tubesthrough nozzles like 12′″, shown for tube 12′ in FIG. 3. To position thetips—e.g., tip 144—with respect to core 10 as shown in FIG. 1, needlesare provided with bent portions—e.g., bent portion 222 shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] The following discussion relates to tube 12′ shown in FIGS. 2 and3 but also is extended to tubes 11′ and 13′, though they are not shownin FIG. 3. Each of tubes 11′, 12′ and 13′ are connected to slide members24, 25 and 26, respectively. Slide members 24, 25 and 26 have narrowportions which are guided to move in radial directions R1, R2 and R3,respectively, by means of respective slots 24′, 25′ and 26′. These slotsare preferably machined in upstanding plate 27.

[0036] Upstanding plate 27 is preferably bolted to threaded sleeve 28 bymeans of bolts (not shown).

[0037] Plate 27 is provided with dovetail recesses 27′ and 27″ thatreceive corresponding guide male portions 31′ and 31″ of a bench portionof casing 31. This configuration allows plate 27 to translate indirections T and T′, parallel to axis 131. (A portion of plate 27, aswell as the bench portion of casing 31 has been omitted for the sake ofclarity.) Sleeve 28 is threaded onto threaded bar 29, which, in turn, issupported on bearing support 30 of casing 31 (see FIG. 3). End 29′ ofthreaded bar 29 carries pulley 32 of belt transmission 32′, which leadsto electric motor 33. Electric motor 33 can be controlled to turnthreaded bar 29 for a predetermined number of revolutions. The resultwill be translation of upstanding plate 27, and consequently of tubes11′, 12′, and 13′ in directions T and T′ for pre-determined strokelengths.

[0038] Assembly 22, for obtaining the stratification motion isillustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7. FIG. 5 is a partial section viewfrom directions 5-5 of FIG. 2. Tubes 11′, 12′ and 13′ are supported inpreferably cylindrical guide sleeves 35, 36 and 37, respectively. Tubes11′, 12′ and 13′ are carried by bushes—e.g., bushes 38 and 39 of guidesleeve 35, which support tube 12′, as shown in FIG. 2. The bushes allowthe tubes to translate in directions T and T′, within guide sleeves 35,36 and 37, when upstanding plate 27 is moved backwards and forwards byelectric motor 33. Guide sleeves 35, 36 and 37 are parts of support arms35′, 36′ and 37′, respectively.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, support arms 35′, 36′ and 37′ arecontained in different, although parallel, planes with respect to theplane of the page in FIG. 5. Furthermore, 35′, 36′ and 37′ cross eachother as shown in FIG. 5. Support arms 35′, 36′ and 37′ can move alongradii R1, R2 and R3 to accomplish the radial motion required forstratification by being supported respectively on respective guidetracks 40, 41 and 42. Preferably, the radial movement of each of thesupport arms occurs substantially simultaneously. The guide tracksconsist of opposite portions—e.g., 41′ and 41″ of guide track41—extending along radii R1, R2 and R3. The guide tracks are assembledto an upright portion of casing 31. Their opposite portions—e.g., 41′and 41″ of guide track 41 (as also shown in FIG. 2)—are on respectivesides of aperture 31 a of casing 31. Aperture 31 a provides for passageof guide sleeves 35, 36 and 37. The size of the aperture shouldpreferably allow the movement of guide sleeves 35, 36 and 37 alongradiuses R1, R2 and R3 during the radial—e.g., stratification—motion.Guide tracks 40, 41, and 42 are also located on different, but parallelplanes with respect to each other and with respect to the page of FIG. 5(and as shown in FIG. 1), in order to conform to the planes containingsupport arms 35′, 36′ and 37′.

[0040]FIG. 6 is a view from direction 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing guideportions 40′, 41′ and 42′ of guide tracks 40, 41 and 42 in perspectiveview, contained in their respective and different planes.

[0041] Support arms 35′, 36′ and 37′ include pairs of rollers 43, 44,and 45, respectively, for movably connecting to biting cam members 46,47 and 48, respectively.

[0042]FIG. 7 is a view from direction 7-7 of FIG. 2. Cam disk 49 isshown in FIG. 2, 6 and 7.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, cam members 46, 47 and 48 have different andrespective extensions from cam disk 49 in order to reach pairs ofrollers pairs of rollers 43, 44, and 45.

[0044] Cam disk 49 is supported by shaft 49′ on bearing assembly 50 ofcasing 31. Bearing assembly 50 allows cam disk 49 to rotate around axis131. Cam disk 49 preferably is provided with a gear profile on its outercircumference, which meshes with pinion gear 52 of electric motor 53.Electric motor 53 is preferably supported by casing 31. In addition, camdisk 49 is provided with an aperture 749 to allow passage of guidesleeves 35, 36 and 37. Again, the size of aperture 749 should preferablyprovide for clearance with respect to movement of guide sleeves 35, 36and 37 along radiuses R1, R2 and R3 during the radial—i.e.,stratification—motion.

[0045]FIG. 8 shows a continuation towards the right of FIG. 2. FIG. 8shows core 10, which is being wound. Core 10 can be supported in corecasing 60 of a vertical round table 61. FIG. 8 also illustrates assembly21. Assembly 21 preferably accomplishes the relative rotation motions.

[0046] Core casing 60 preferably maintains core 10 centered on axis 131of casing 31. This centers radii R1, R2 and R3 of core 10 on axis 131,as shown in the previous FIGS. Bearings 62 of round table 61 supportscore casing 60 for rotation around axis 131. In this way, core 10 canrotate around axis 131 of casing 31 to provide the required relativerotation motions between the needles and the core, as described in theforegoing.

[0047] The rotations are preferably imparted to core 10 casing by gear63, which meshes with gear portion 60′ provided on the external surfaceof core casing 60. Gear 63 is supported and allowed to rotate byshaft/bearing assembly 64, assembled on round table 61. Assembly 64 islocated adjacent to core casing 60. Shaft 65 of shaft/bearing assembly64 is provided with a key portion 65′ which can be aligned (by rotationof round table 61) and connected to drive unit 66 of casing 31. Driveunit 66 preferably includes a shaft 67 driven by electric motor 68.Forward end 67′ of shaft 67 has a corresponding key portion capable ofconnecting itself to key portion 65′. This connection occurs by shiftingshaft 67 in direction Z, using air cylinder 75, which is connected tothe other end of shaft 67 by means of fork joint 69.

[0048] Shaft 67 is supported for rotation by means of support/bearingassembly 70. This support/bearing assembly comprises bushes forsupporting movement of shaft 67 caused by air cylinder 75. The bushesare supported in gear tube 72, which is supported for rotation by meansof bearings 73. Shaft 67 has key portions received in gear tube 72, fortransmission of relative rotations between gear tube 72 and shaft 67.Gear portion 74 of gear tube 72 meshes with pinion 68′ of electric motor68. Rotation of electric motor 68 rotates shaft 67 which, in turn,causes core 10 to have the relative rotation motions with respect toneedles 11, 12 and 13 around axis 131. Motor 68 can also be used toindex the core when unwound poles need to be aligned with the needles.

[0049] Motors 33, 58 and 68 can be provided with position and speedfeedback sensors. Such a combination allows computer equipment (seecomputer 960 in FIG. 9) to control the motors so that they achievepredetermined and programmable revolutions of rotation.

[0050] Thus, the needles may have relative motions of translation,rotation and stratification (described in the foregoing with referenceto FIG. 1), occurring in required timing and synchronized between eachother. A main computer (see computer 960 in FIG. 9) required to governsuch a performance can contain the relative programs and data. Positioncontrol principles like those described in the '289 patent can be usedto obtain accurate predetermined trajectories of the needles withrespect to the poles. The same computer, or a different computer, can beprovided with different data when the amounts of the motions and therelative timing need to be modified—e.g., when a different type of coreneeds to have winding conditions set—i.e., requiring differenttranslations, rotations and radial.

[0051] It should be noted that the profile of the cam members govern thestratification motion of the needles, although the programmablerevolutions of motor 53 also influence the relative timing and speed ofthe needles. The cam members can be dismounted and substituted withothers when a different motion is required.

[0052] It should also be noted that round table 62 can have multiplecore casings carrying respective cores, each provided with ashaft/bearing assembly—e.g., shaft/bearing assembly 64. In this way,cores can be fed rapidly, and in sequence, to the needles in order to bewound. In such a situation, a core casing having a core which hasalready been wound can align itself with another axis, where terminationof the coil leads can take place by means of equipment like the onedescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,503, 5,245,748, and5,392,506. It should be noted that all patents mentioned herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0053] Another advantage of the embodiment described with relation toFIGS. 1-8 is that the equipment for accomplishing the various relativemotions is preferably substantially independent—i.e., each assembly foraccomplishing a particular motion is substantially physically separatefrom each other assembly and each assembly is capable of providing theparticular motion for which it is responsible without causing the othermotions to occur. For example, substantially none of the equipment—e.g.,the motor—used to cause the radial motion moves with the equipment whichtranslates. Thus, the motor that provides the radial movement may besubstantially static—i.e., the motor preferably does not translate—whenthe translational motion occurs. This makes the translation equipmentlighter, which, in turn, provides higher translation speeds withoutcausing high levels of problematic vibrations. In addition, thestratification equipment has been conceived to move needles very closeto each other (as shown in FIG. 1), as is the constraint given by thesmall angular distance existing between the poles.

[0054] FIGS. 9-11 show another embodiment of the invention. Thisembodiment also accomplishes the three movements described above byusing a needle to dispense the wire. Needle 1045, (see FIGS. 10 and 11),is capable of achieving translation movements (referenced by directions913 and 914) to move along a side of the pole, rotational movement(referenced by directions 915 and 916) to cross from one side to theother of the pole, and radial—i.e., stratification—movement (referencedby 917).

[0055] Needles and apparatuses for accomplishing the translation androtation movements have been described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,164,772 and 5,413,289. The following describes the implementationof an apparatus that can also provide independent radial movement.

[0056]FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a winding machine according tothe invention capable of dispensing wires to form the coils of adynamo-electric component.

[0057]FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken from direction10-10 of FIG. 9 of an apparatus for winding wire with the threemotions—i.e., translational, rotational and radial—discussed herein (thecore has been removed from FIG. 10 for reasons of clarity).

[0058] Needle 1045 is preferably an extreme appendage of winding shaft910. Winding shaft 910 is preferably provided with translation movementand rotation movement such as the winding shaft-described in theabove-cited patents—e.g., the '289 patent—or in another suitablefashion. The rotation movement may be implemented on the core to bewound, as described above. The wire 950 required to wind the coilspreferably passes through winding shaft 910 to reach, and be dispensedby, needle 1045 during winding.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 9, winding shaft 910 is driven to movewith backwards and forwards translation motions 913 and 914 andoppositely-directed rotation motions 915 and 916 in order to wind coilson dynamo-electric component 940 by an assembly mounted within casing942. Backwards and forwards translation motions 913 and 914 are parallelto axis 944. Rotation motions 915 and 916 may be performed about centeraxis 944. Dynamo electric component may also be centered on axis 944.

[0060] The radial motion, indicated by motion 917, may preferably beperpendicular to axis 944. The assembly within casing 942 may be totallymechanical with one input rotation motor or provided withindependently-controlled motors similar to the assembly described in the'289 patent. In any case, the translation and rotation motions areprovided preferably independently of the radial motion, as will bedescribed.

[0061] Winding shaft 910 protrudes from two opposite ends 946 and 948 ofcasing 942. Wires 950 coming from supply drums and tensioners (notshown) enter the winding shaft at end 952, while at the other end 954 ofthe winding shaft (shown in FIG. 10), needle 1045 is provided for movingwith respect to the poles in order to wind the coils.

[0062]FIG. 10 illustrates an assembly which has been introduced to causethe radial motion—i.e., stratification motion—in direction 917 of needle1045. The assembly is mostly contained within cylindrical protrusion 956of casing 942.

[0063] Winding shaft 910 extends to the left of FIG. 10 from bearingsupport 1020 of casing 942. Bearing support 1020 supports the rotationand translation motions of winding shaft 910 caused by the assemblylocated to the left, within casing 942, and not shown in FIG. 10.

[0064] Gear wheel 1021 is preferably mounted on bearings 1022′ and 1022″of casing 942. The center portion of gearwheel 921 is preferably hollowand provided with key 1021′. Winding shaft 910 passes through the hollowcenter portion of gearwheel 1021. Gear wheel 1021 engages second gearwheel 1023 mounted on axle 1024. Axle 1024 is mounted on a supportbearing (not shown) of casing 942. Belt wheel 1025 is mounted on theopposite end of axle 1024. Belt wheel 1025 is driven by belt 1026, whichderives motion from the pinion wheel of motor 927 (shown in FIG. 9).Consequently, rotation of the pinion wheel of motor 27 causes gear wheel1021 to rotate on bearings 1022′ and 1022″. (It should be noted thatmotor 927 may be substantially static during translational movement ofwinding shaft 910.)

[0065] Rotation of gear wheel 1021 in a specific direction causes theradial movement 917 of needle 1045, and thereby, to stratifies the wireduring winding, as will become more apparent from the following. Drivetube 1028, which serves as a drive member for the radial movements ofneedle 1045 as will be explained, is preferably hollow so that it can beassembled coaxially on winding shaft 910 and so that it may containwinding shaft 910 and the wire. This assembly may be implemented wherewinding shaft 910 becomes smaller in its external diameter. Bearings1029 and 1030 are used to support drive tube 1028 on winding shaft 910,so that drive tube 1028 can rotate around winding shaft 910. However,drive tube 1028 is preferably fixed in directions 913 and 914 along thelength of winding shaft 910. Also, portion 1028′ of drive tube 1028preferably has a threaded portion for receiving recirculating balls.Registering cap 1041 has male threaded portion 1041′ which engages aninternal female threaded portion present in the end of winding shaft910. By tightening threaded portion 1041′, registering cap 1041 pusheson separation tube 1031, which is also mounted coaxially on windingshaft 910.

[0066] Consequently, separation tube 1031 restrains bearing 1030. Inturn, bearing 1030 restrains drive tube 1028 and pushes it againstbearing 1029, which is shouldered by hollow shaft 1021. Theserestraining and pushing effects are parallel to the extension of windingshaft 910 along center axis 944. In this way, drive tube 1028 is fixedalong winding shaft 910 and, therefore, may translate together withwinding shaft 910. Nevertheless, drive tube 1028 can be relativelymoved—e.g., rotated—with respect to, and preferably around, windingshaft 910, when required, by turning gear wheel 1023 with motor 1027.The configuration between drive tube 1028 and winding tube 910 maypreferably be described as a sleeve-thread configuration.

[0067] Bearings 1029 and 1030 are preferably implemented such that theyact as axial and radial supports for drive tube 1028 on winding shaft910. Sleeve 1032 is provided with an internal threaded portion forreceiving the recirculating balls provided in portion 1028′ of drivetube 1028. Rotation of drive tube 1028 relative to winding shaft 910preferably causes sleeve 1032 to translate parallel to translationdirections 913 and 914 depending on the direction of rotation used torotate drive tube 1028. The recirculating balls preferably provide alow-friction running surface between drive tube 1028 and sleeve 1032when the rotation and translation occur. Gear wheel 1021 preferablytransmits the rotation to drive tube 1028. This rotation allows drivetube 1028 to rotate with respect to winding shaft 910.

[0068] Key 1021′ of gear wheel 1021 is received in a portion of drivetube 1028. This portion is preferably long enough to allow drive tube1028 to accomplish translation motions in directions 913 and 914 whilestill accommodating key 1021′.

[0069] First tube 1033 has end portion 1033′ assembled between axialbearings 1034 and 1034′ so that first tube 1033 can be moved with sleeve1032 parallel to translation directions 913 and 914. Ring 1035 isthreaded on sleeve 1032 and pushes on bearing 1034′ to maintain endportion 1033′ between bearing 1034 and 1034′. Disk 1036 is preferablybolted to the opposite end of first tube 1033 by means of bolts 1036′.Disk 1036 carries rods 1037 which extend preferably substantiallyparallel to winding shaft 910. The central portion of disk 1036 ispreferably open to surround winding shaft 910, drive tube 928 andseparation tube 1031.

[0070] The outside surface of second tube 1038 is preferably supportedon the inside cylindrical surface of casing 942 to allow second tube1038 to accomplish the translational and rotational motions required bythe needles, referenced respectively with directions 913, 914 and 915,916 in FIG. 9. The outside surface of first tube 1033 is supported onthe inside cylindrical surface of second tube 1038 to accomplish themovement of the first tube parallel to translation directions 913 and914.

[0071] Support tube 1039 is flanged to second tube 1038 by means ofbolts 1039′. In this way, support tube 39 is practically an axialextension of second tube 1038. Consequently, support tube 1039preferably provides the translational and rotational motions required bythe needle. Registering cap 1041 is also provided with referencing pins1043 which engage in recesses of the end face of winding shaft 910. Thisengagement of referencing pins 1043, and the joint existing betweenregistering cap 1041 and winding shaft 910, achieved by threaded portion1041′, preferably rigidly connects registering cap 1041 to winding shaft910. Registering cap 1041 is preferably bolted to second tube 1038 bymeans of bolts 1042. This preferably rigidly connects second tube 1038to registering cap 1041 and finally to winding shaft 910. As a result ofthis connection, winding shaft 910 drives second tube 1038 to accomplishthe translational and rotational motions required by the needle orneedles.

[0072] Consequently, support tube 1039 also accomplish the translationaland rotational motions required by the needle or needles.

[0073] End member 1046 is bolted to rods 1037 by means of bolts like1044 (shown in a cut out of member 1046). Portion 1046′ of end member1039 is an inclined way 1046′ for receiving slide portion 1045′ ofneedle 1045. The inclined way preferably has an inclination whichconverges towards axis 944 in direction 914. The section of the inclinedway can have a T form. Consequently slide portion 1045′ of needle 1045should preferably have a corresponding T form. Needle 1045 is preferablyhollow for passage of wire 950. Member 1046 is provided with passage1046″ for making wire 950 reach needle 1045. Needle 1045 is supportedduring stratification movement 917 by the sides of radial bore 1045″present in support tube 1039.

[0074] Translation of sleeve 1032, preferably by rotation of motor 927,causes end member 1046 to be translated parallel to directions 913 and914 because of the connection obtained between first tube 1033 and rods1037. When end member 1046 translates in direction 914, inclined way1046′ runs on slide portion 1045′ of needle 1045. By having inclined way1046′ run on slide portion 1045′, stratification movement 917 of needle1045 is preferably caused. By translating end member 1046 oppositely (indirection 913), needle 1045 preferably accomplishes an opposite movementwith respect to 917 in order to bring needle 1045 in a stratificationmotion towards an innermost position of the stratification movement.Movement of needle 1045 in a direction opposite to direction 917, andtherefore, stratification in this opposite direction, may also beaccomplished according to the invention.

[0075] Motor 1027 is preferably connected to a computer 960 (see FIG. 9)and appropriate drive that may cause the needle to accomplish thestratification motion in a predetermined time relation or positionrelation with respect to the translation movements and rotationmovements accomplished by winding shaft 910.

[0076] For example, a certain increment of stratification motion 917 canbe accomplished every time winding shaft 910 has completed a sequence ofbackwards and forwards translational movements and two oppositerotations—i.e., following each completed cycle. This preferablycorresponds to the needles having moved once around a respective coilsupport (or pole) that they are winding in order to form a turn. Anincrement of the stratification movement after such a sequence willshift the successive turn preferably along the coil's support. Timing orreaching of predetermined positions by the needle or needles, during thetranslation and rotation motions can be used to implement preferablyincremental stratification movement in direction 917 or in a directionopposite to direction 917.

[0077] In FIG. 10, for reason of clarity only one needle 1045 has beenshown. However, end member 1046 can have a plurality of inclined wayslike 1046′. Each of the ways may be utilized for a respective needlelike needle 1045. The inclined ways and the needle should preferably bepositioned around axis 944 to be aligned with respective coil supportsthat may require winding.

[0078] In conclusion, winding shaft 910 is able to make the needlesaccomplish the required translational and rotational motions referencedwith directions 913, 914 and 915, 916. At preferably substantially thesame time, an assembly has been introduced around, and partially carriedby, winding shaft 910 for causing the needles to accomplishstratification motion 917 when required. The assembly preferablyproduces an axial movement of sleeve 1032 which becomes converted intothe stratification motion required by the needles. Furthermore, theaxial movement is independently-driven—i.e., by motor 1027 or othersuitable device, such as a compressed-air source—with respect to thetranslational and rotational movements of the needles referenced withdirections 913, 914 and 915, 917.

[0079]FIG. 11 is a partial view from direction 11-11 of FIG. 9 showingneedle 1045 in relation to a pole or coil support 1109′ of dynamoelectric component 1109 and after a certain number of turns have beenwound with wire 950. Stratification motion 917 preferably distributesthe turns along coil support 1109′ as shown. Without such astratification motion, the turns may be distributed unevenly andsub-optimally.

[0080] Thus, an apparatus for dispensing wire from a needle having atranslational, rotational, and radial component is provided. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the presentinvention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments,which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation,and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A winder for winding a wire onto a coil supportportion of a dynamo-electric core, the winder having a centrallongitudinal axis, the winder comprising: a needle for dispensing thewire; a first assembly, the first assembly comprising a winding shaft,the needle being constrained to move translationally with the shaft, thefirst assembly being for producing translational movement of the shaftalong the axis; a second assembly for producing rotational movement ofthe needle about the axis; and a third assembly comprising a drivemember movably coupled to the winding shaft wherein relative rotationbetween the drive member and the winding shaft produces radial movementof the needle, and wherein the operation of the third assembly producesradial movement substantially independently of rotational movement ofthe second assembly.
 2. The winder of claim 1, the third assemblycomprising a motor for producing the radial movement.
 3. The winder ofclaim 1 wherein the motor is substantially static during thetranslational movement.
 4. The winder of claim 1 wherein the drivemember comprises a drive tube.
 5. The winder of claim 1 wherein thetranslation movement and radial movement of the needle is programmable.6. The winder of claim 1 wherein the third assembly produces incrementalradial movement of the needle.
 7. The winder of claim 1 wherein thethird assembly produces bi-directional radial movement the needle. 8.The winder of claim 1 wherein the drive member is coupled in asleeve-thread configuration with the winding shaft.
 9. The winder ofclaim 1 wherein the radial movement is substantially independent of thetranslational movement.
 10. The winder of claim 1 wherein the drivemember is coaxial with the winding shaft.
 11. The winder of claim 1wherein the drive member substantially surrounds the winding shaft. 12.A method for winding a plurality of wires on a dynamo-electric corehaving a central longitudinal axis, the method comprising: winding eachof the wires along a respective coil support in a first direction, thefirst direction being parallel to the axis; winding each of the wiresacross a respective face of the respective coil support in a firstrotational direction about the axis; winding each of the wires in asecond direction along the respective coil support, the second directionbeing opposite the first direction; winding each of the wires across arespective second face of the respective coil support in a secondrotational direction about the axis, the second rotational directionbeing opposite the first rotational direction; and independentlystratifying the wires in a radial direction perpendicular to the axisalong the coil support.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein thestratifying the wire in a radial direction comprises incrementallystratifying the wire in the radial direction.
 14. The method of claim 12further comprising programming the location and duration of each of thewinding and the stratifying using a computer.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein the winding of the wire in the first direction and the windingof the wire in the second direction occur without moving a motor used toindependently stratify the wire.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein theindependently stratifying comprises stratifying independent of thewinding in the first direction and the winding in the second direction.17. The method of claim 12 wherein the independently stratifyingcomprises stratifying independent of the winding in the first rotationaldirection and the winding in the second rotational direction.
 18. Amethod of winding a wire onto a coil support portion of adynamo-electric core using a winder having a central longitudinal axis,a winding shaft and a drive tube, the method comprising: winding thewire along the coil support in a first direction, the first directionbeing parallel to the axis; winding the wire across a face of the coilsupport in a first rotational direction about the axis; winding the wirein a second direction along the coil support, the second direction beingopposite the first direction; winding the wire across a second face ofthe coil support in a second rotational direction about the axis, thesecond rotational direction being opposite the first rotationaldirection; and relatively moving the winding shaft with respect to thedrive tube in order to independently stratify the wire in a radialdirection perpendicular to the axis along the coil support.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the relatively rotating comprises stratifyingthe wire independently of the winding in the first direction and thewinding in the second direction.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein therelatively rotating comprises stratifying the wire independently of thewinding in the first rotational direction and the winding in the secondrotational direction.
 21. The method of claim 18 further comprisingwinding a plurality of wires simultaneously.
 22. The method of claim 18further comprising programming the location and duration of each of thewinding and the stratifying using a computer.
 23. The method of claim 18wherein the winding of the wire in the first direction and the windingof the wire in the second direction occur without moving a motor used toindependently stratify the wire.
 24. The method of claim 18 wherein therelatively moving the winding shaft with respect to the driving tubecomprises relatively rotating the winding shaft with respect to thedriving tube.